LAHORE: ‘Is Punjab Number One in Corruption?’ Punjab Assembly would hold a general discussion on the fresh survey report of FAFEN, which declared Punjab the most-corrupt province of the country. The issue of FAFEN’s report was raised by opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed in an adjournment motion, which was moved out-of-turn in the House on Friday. In the motion, the opposition leader said that according to the FAFEN’s survey report, Punjab was on top position in terms of corruption, as the non-governmental organisation (NGO) reported around 337 incidents of corruption of government employees. The report further reveals that around 12 percent people have admitted to witness corruption of government officials in the province, while such corruption was only one percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Giving response on it, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that he had no objection if the opposition leader wanted to hold a debate on the matter next week. On this, the speaker announced to hold debate on FAFEN’s report on corruption in Punjab next Wednesday after completing the day’s agenda. During the session, on a point of order, Mehmoodur Rasheed, while showing a copy of a letter of former Services Hospital medical superintendent Umar Baloch, told the House that the former MS had sent him a copy of the letter, which was written to health minister on May 1, just four days before his retirement, exposing the violation of merit in government jobs’ appointments from Hamza Shahbaz. In the letter, the ex-MS informed that he was threatened by Chief Minsiter Secretariat Deputy Secretary Mohsin Shakir of dire consequences if he would not appoint 100 favourites of Hamza Shahbaz, but he refused. Rasheed said that on May 5, a letter marked as ‘Most Important’ and ‘Most Urgent’ was sent to the Anti-Corruption Department director general to open the case against Umar Baloch. The opposition leader urged the chief minister that he must probe into the matter, as it was a serious issue regarding violation of merit. On this, Rana Sanaullah, showing his consent, referred the issue to the parliamentary committee and said that all appointments were being made on merit. After getting the government’s nod, the speaker referred the issue to the concerned standing committee of the assembly. Dr Murad Rass, member of opposition benches, on a point of order, highlighted the intense situation of law and order in the Chak 44 of Mandi Bahauddin district over the issue of Muslim-Christian differences on an anti-Islam video clip in the cell phone of a Christian boy Imran Masih. He said although a committee of six members from both communities was constituted, but chances of an unpleasant incident still persists. On this, the law minister said that he would inquire the issue and resolve it by all means. Punjab Assembly session on Friday started one hour late under the chair of Speaker Rana Iqbal. After reciting verses of the Holy Quran, the House adopted question hour on Home Department, queries of which were answered by Ejaz Achlana. It is pertinent to mention that during the Friday session, almost all the adjournment motions were adjourned by the speaker due to absence of the concerned ministers and parliamentary secretaries. Later, taking up the ‘government business’ of the House, the chair announced to start a general discussion on the annual report titled ‘Parks and Horticulture Authority Lahore 2013-2014’ and offered the concerned minister or the parliamentary secretary to deliver his opening speech on it. However, opposition member Shenila Ruth pointed out the quorum. Resultantly, due to lack of quorum, the chair adjourned the session until Monday at 2pm.